RUNNERS will be under starters orders at South Hill Park this Sunday (April 27), when they take part in this year's Bracknell Half-Marathon.

The popular event is firmly established in the local sporting calendar and is being organised by Bracknell Forest Borough Council and sponsored by TradeMark Windows.

The race will start and finish in the grounds of South Hill Park Arts Centre, Birch Hill, at 9am and more than 600 runners have already signed up.

Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for leisure services, who has run the race several times himself, wished all the runners in both the half marathon and the junior races good luck.

He said: "I can appreciate how much hard work is put into organising the race and I would like to thank the officers from the leisure services department and the many volunteers who have given up their time to help make this possible."

The route the runners will take has changed slightly this year, as most of the race will be on footpaths and cycleways, but there are short stretches where runners have to cross side roads.

To ensure the safety of the runners, there will be three road closures for parts of the race.

They are:

> Ringmead from Finmere to the bus link near Evedon and South Hill Road from the same bus link to the sports centre. They will be closed to allow the start of the race.

> Western Road between Easthampstead Road and Downmill Road will be closed from 9.15am until the last runner passes through at approximately 10.15am

> Binfield Road from Jocks Lane to the Harvest Ride roundabout will be closed from 9.15am until approximately 10.30am

There will be drinks and sponge stations for competitors along the route and trophies will be presented to the first three finishers in each category on the rear lawn of South Hill Park.

For further information, visit the Bracknell Forest website www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk and click on leisure.